Weather: Day 9

[Cearnach]

Today's temperature has a high of 51 (11 C) and a low of 48 (9 C). The sky is overcast, with 6 mph (10 kph) winds. The moon is waning gibbous.

Events Today
MM: Scene: The Weight of My Ancestors Made My Blade Slip
LM: Past Lives Picnic
EA: Court: The Regency Floor, Galleries
MA: A Helping Hand, part 2
LA: This Court Ain't Big Enough fr' th'Both of Us
EE: A Discourse on the Laws

[Cearnach]

Overheard among gossiping Imperials in the halls of Court:

–Did you see Gorobei-chan’s face when that ronin came to pay his respects to the Empress? He looked like a thunderstorm in a sake jug. I thought he was a man of the people!
–No big surprise. Gorobei’s just frightened because there’s a real bushi in the mix now. Cuts against his narrative, you know.
–You think it’ll come to a duel?
–It’ll have to. Bushi only respect one thing. Gorobei’s gotta show he’s top dog, or people will start putting faith in a different sword arm.

"In the Market? In the daylight? Holding hands?"

The way they treated that guardsman...karma awaits, I have no doubt.

"...and all of 'em, down on their knees, getting dirty. Serves 'em right."

A Kitsu and a Yasuki? Never work. But the Nakodo was talking to them, so maybe?

"Did you see Shigehiko?"
"Yeah, all pally with that Soshi the other day, telling his dumb jokes through his dumb moustache. Doesn't he know that Scorp is using him to get the dope on Lady Matsu?"
"No, that's not it. I heard that Scorp was a Kamoshita before marriage."
"What? But the Kamoshita..."
"I know, buddy. He's gonna shit a brick when I tell him."

"He had the audacity to go before the Court with stains on his clothes! Stains! No wonder things have been so upset, if even basic decency's gone out the window! Why, back in my day, we'd never have dreamed of it!"

This is a negative rumor about Doji Hikaru

"I heard someone say something about an angry spirit--they can't mean old grandma Sadako that used to haunt the charcoal storehouse is acting up again? I thought the Kitsu set her to rest a couple years ago..."
"Shh! No! Keep quiet about this, but it's much worse--I heard it's the vengeful ghost of a wicked old Emperor!"
"What!?"
"Shush! Not so loud, or people might hear you and panic. Take this ofuda. It'll keep you safe... maybe." (TN 30)

Isn't it the Chancellor's job to run the court? Then why does the Imperial Advisor order everyone about without a word from Shiba-sama? (TN 35)

This is a negative rumor about Shiba Rumiko

"Was the abbott of the Four Temples drinking? To be so wildly clumsy?"
"I suppose that's easier to believe than a monk so highly placed cheerfully participating in rank bullying. I suppose it's no wonder religious observances seem to waned in this age, when even religious leaders act thus." (TN 35)

This is a negative rumor about Chou-sin

"Seppun Tomaru-sama is really strong, isn't he? Carrying three buckets of water all the way back from Ikoma's Eye!"
"You must know he didn't carry them by himself, right?"
"You've been in Kyuden Ikoma for years and you still think generals and leaders' strength lies in their muscles? Come on, that makes him even stronger, if anything!"
"Well... stronger than the orders that sent him to do that, that's for sure."
"Pssst! You want to spend more years in Kyuden Ikoma and alive, don't you??" (TN 40)

"Heichi-sama's painting of the valley was quite the sight, wasn't it?"
"Quite the sight indeed!"
"That town on the mountain to the right, do you know it? Town, or temple..."
"That's no town. It's a beauty spot."
"You mean like a lookout?"
"Um. Let's just say Heichi-sama gave us a view of that valley few would have the chance to see otherwise."
"But... oh. Oh." (TN 40)

"That piece by the Asahina was really something, wasn't it?"
"You could almost feel as if you were among the mountains!"
"Do you think she got some training in the High House? Or visited often?"
"...have you seen her? How would she even get there with those tiny legs?"
"Point." (TN 40)

"That duelist the Crane have."
"Which one?"
"You know, the girl. The one with the stare that could strip lacquer."
"Oh, yeah!"
"Yeah, I think she's the same one."
"The same one who..."
"Who killed the son of the Terror of Shiro Hana, that's who!"
"Oh! Oh, snap! That means..."
"That means I'm gonna be rich."

[Fukurokujin]

Letters

A missive is sent around from House to House - a scroll on snow white paper tied with entwined ribbons of white, blue, red and gold. Once unfurled, it reads in a flowing blue script:

Down from mountain streams
Life trickles its potential
Meandering through meadows

Flowing to its peaceful tides
Reflecting wisdom

(GoL 15)

An open letter circulates around court, folded simply. The paper is plain as the pen-hand.

Little bugs scurry
Cry out aloud in hunger
What else can't they do?

GoL 20

An origami frog is passed around, attached to a letter on lightly red paper. Opening the frog reveals a poem from yesterday:

You are super pretty
Really I mean it, you are
Don't doubt it ever
Turning heads when you pass by
I always notice your walk


Opening the letter reveals written in a very black ink:

Curious frog sees
moonlight shining on his lake.
Leaping into air.

(GoL 38 You see my beauty. Are you jumping towards or away?

A letter on light red paper makes it's way to Lion house, though any may view it.

Twin scars weeping red.
Smiling through pain, wisdom shown.
Source unknowable?

(Was Honoka wise before or after her duel? Where does her smile come from? GoL 26)

A letter on red paper which is barely circulated (a straight trip from the Tenshu to Minor Clan House), taken at a relatively quick pace. The calligraphy is languid, and a single cactus thorn is attached.

The mountains spread wide
For the eye of the painter.
The valley unseen.
(GoL: 50 You've captured the image, but what about the real thing?

[Cearnach]

It is now Day 9. 6 more In-character days remain in court after this one.

[Fukurokujin]

Hey, new session, so:
Per-session abilities and Techniques reset.
Take 5 XP--and remember, spends made take effect the next in-game day.

[Fukurokujin]

Start getting your D10 rumors and letters ready!